Live commentary

FT: It's all over at Wembley and Manchester City are this year's Capital One Cup winners! Sunderland put up a great fight, taking an early lead through Fabio Borini, but City's class showed in the second half with stunning strikes from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri before Jesus Navas sealed the win. 3-1.

It was a quick counter attack from City and Toure fed the substitute Navas out on the right where he was storming into the area. The Spaniard didn't think twice before firing into the bottom corner. Game over surely.

CHANCE! Mannone comes forward to take a free-kick just inside the City half and pumps it into the air where Ki gets the flick-on. It finds Fletcher in space at the back post but he's caught in two minds and fails to get his shot away as the ball rolls behind for a goalkick.

Sunderland break forward at pace with plenty of space to attack. Bardsley picks it up and decides to go alone, firing well over the bar from range when in reality, there were better options available to him.

Fernandinho drives City forward before feeding Navas out wide on the right. He gets the better of Alonso as he glides into the area. The Spaniard looks to sit one up towards the back post but it is deflected behind for a corner which Nasri will deliver.

Sunderland come forward down the left through Alonso and he weights a ball towards the far post where Gardner is arriving. He can't quite get the ball under control but he was offside anyway and City have a free-kick.

Sunderland are the ones doing all the attacking as you would expect from a side chasing the lead. Fletcher has given them an extra dimension in attack since his arrival. City appear to be happy to soak this up and look to catch them on the break.

CHANCE! Gardner heads the ball into the area where Colback knocks it down for the arriving Fletcher. The striker hits a first-time half-volley but it's straight down the throat of Pantilimon who clutches it gratefully. Still plenty of life in this Sunderland side.

Ki's corner is cleared but this is a good spell of pressure for Sunderland as Borini tries to wriggle into space on the edge of the area. It eventually comes to nothing but Sunderland still have men forward. They just need to be cautious of a City break.

Alonso's left-footed delivery is punched up into the air by Pantilimon and the danger remains for City. Bardsley tries to return it and there are appeals for handball against Toure inside the area. Martin Atkinson waves it away and replays show it to have come more off his chest.

Ki whips an inviting delivery towards the back post and Fletcher just can't quite get there with a flying header. Sunderland are in attack as they look to get back into this and Fletcher wins a free-kick off Nasri down the left. Alonso to take.

Nasri tries the spectacular from the edge of the area but curls his strike just over the bar with Mannone rooted to the spot. Sunderland look shell-shocked after those quick-fire goals and who can blame them.

Wow. Where to start with that minute or so of action? The opener was sublime from Toure who curled home from some 30 yards before Nasri slammed City ahead with the outside of the boot after Kolarov's cross was flicked into his path at the back post. Unbelievable stuff from City.

The City fans are roaring their team on as Zabaleta wins the ball in the middle for Cattermole concedes a free-kick for a cynical foul on Silva. That just slowed things down for Sunderland but City have a free-kick in a dangerous position. Nasri and Toure eye it up from distance.

Zabaleta is invited to attack down the right by Alonso, he strides forward before getting a cross away. He aims one in towards the back post but it's not what he had in mind and it floats well over Mannone's bar. City starting the half with intent.

Thanks for all your messages at the break, we're now back underway at Wembley!

Aaron Rattway has also emailed in, he says: "Watching the game and following your commentary. Sunderland look tight at the back, Can't see City scoring at all."

Dominic Allen has emailed to say: "I reckon City will turn it around. Sunderland don't have the quality of players and as soon as they start getting tired, City will rip into them. 3-1 for me, sorry Sunderland!"

While Edward Pace (@edpacefootball) has a more cynical view, saying: "If it stays as it is, Lee Cattermole will be reinforcing English stereotypes all over Europe next season."

Thanks to Nile (@Nileeeee_) who has Tweeted to say: "There's more than enough time for City to turn it around but Sunderland will win I think!"

Sunderland were 9/1 for the win ahead of kick-off with Sky Bet but they're now down to 2/1 in-play. The 1-0 win was also 28/1 but there's still a long way to go yet. City are 13/10 to turn things around and a 2-1 win for Pellegrini's men is priced at 4/1.

What was your verdict on that first half? Do you expect City to turn it around? Either Tweet me: @ryanparrish1919 or email ryan.parrish@bskyb.com and I'll get a couple posted up.

HT: Martin Atkinson signals for half-time and Sunderland take a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to Fabio Borini's 10th-minute strike. Gus Poyet will be delighted with that opening 45 minutes from his side. 0-1.

City look to attack but the move breaks down due to a lack of communication between Silva and Kolarov. Aguero played a through ball into the area but neither could quite decide whether or not to go for it. In the end, Cattermole was happy to watch it out.

Sunderland have every player inside their own half as City dominate the ball and look for an opening. Fernandinho spots Zabaleta in space on the right and picks him out with a perfectly weighted ball. The full-back is adjudged to have brought it down with his arm and a free-kick is given.

CHANCE! Borini races through on goal, but an unbelievable last-ditch tackle from Kompany prevents him from getting a shot away with only Mannone to beat. Larsson's flick had played him in and Borini did look offside, but superb defending nevertheless. Sunderland corner.

Alonso hoofs a City throw-in forward and Sunderland can break again through Ki who finds Johnson out wide on the right. They're in no hurry to attack that CIty goal though and are happy to knock it around as they await support.

CHANCE! It's a much better delivery from Nasri towards the near post where Kompany flicks it on. It's begging to be poked home from close-range with Mannone at sea, only for Borini on the line to scoop it over the bar with his head. Excellent defending from the striker.

City try to build another attack but once again, Sunderland are defending in numbers. City do create a brief opening as Nasri gets behind the defence before knocking it across goal, but Bardsley is there with the interception to find touch.

There's more panic in the City box as Johnson takes it to the byline before guiding a ball across goal looking for Borini. The outstretched leg of Kompany manages to get a small touch to take the sting out of it before Fernandinho clears the danger.

Half chance for City as Aguero breaks down the right. He does well to power away from Alonso before whipping a ball into the area. Nasri is there and he looks to stab it towards goal, but he can't quite get the desired connection on it and Mannone can comfortably smother.

Ki strides forward for Sunderland as they look for an opening. Colback is fed down the left before coming inside and picking out Cattermole. It eventually finds it's way to Bardsley down the right but he's strayed into an offside position. Very positive from Sunderland.

Nasri looks to play in Dzeko but his pass is over-hit and it goes harmlessly behind for a goalkick. Other than that early Aguero striker moments before the opener, City are yet to have a real sniff of goal.

Borini is epitomising Sunderland's spirit today and he charges down a Kompany clearance on the edge of the City box but fortunately for the Belgian, it cannons wide. He has looked uncharacteristically shaky so far has Kompany.

Sunderland look to be full of confidence as they give City no time whatsoever on the ball. Fans in red and white are doing the Poznan in the stands, while Pellegrini does not look impressed on the touchline.

The corner is cleared and Sunderland again look to hit City on the counter attack. Alonso gets down the left at pace and it takes a flying header from Demichelis to head behind. Larsson to take the corner.

Would you believe it?! Cattermole broke up play just on the edge of the Sunderland box and Larsson played a long ball into space for Borini to run onto. He shrugged off the challenge of Kompany before curling low past Pantilimon and into the bottom corner with the outside of his boot. The Black Cats are in dream land!

Sunderland break and Borini does well to hold up play under pressure from Demichelis before bringing in Johnson. He exchanges passes with the Italian who had floated into an offside position. City free-kick.

City have got Sunderland pretty much camped inside their own half at the minute as they come forward again. They try their luck down the right through Zabaleta but his inside ball for Toure is loose and the move breaks down.

City now have the chance to get a ball into the box as Kolarov wins a corner off Bardsley who did well with the covering block. Silva's initial delivery is headed back out by Brown before Demichelis has an effort blocked inside the area and Sunderland clear.

Pantilimon gets his first touch as he comes off his line to collect an optimistic ball forward with Borini in pursuit. City are just happy to knock the ball around patiently at the minute as they look for openings.

Bardsley sets the tone early on with a crunching challenge on Silva. City want a free-kick but Martin Atkinson waves it on. Pellegrini's side then attempt to mount an attack down the left but it's too heavy for the run of Kolarov and Sunderland get a goalkick.

City with the early possession inside the Sunderland half. Kolarov can't quite control it down the left and it goes out for a throw. Both fans in great voice in these opening minutes. The City fans were doing the Poznan ahead of kick-off but they're facing the action now!

Right then, the teams are out at Wembley with minutes remaining until kick-off. Both sides are in their traditional home colours and are awaiting the national anthem.

Some odds before kick-off then and Sky Bet have City as the favourites at 30/10, a draw is 5/1 and a surprise Sunderland win is 9/1 for those fancying their chances. There are also a number of Price Boosts available including Fabio Borini to score first at 16/1 and City to win 3-0 at 9/1.

Sunderland fan Katie Hume (@KatieBoo88) has Tweeted: "For me win or lose today this moment will live as a great memory. The gr8 thing about safc fans is win or lose, we stand united."

An emphatic 9-0 aggregate win over West Ham saw City ease into the final, while an epic penalty shoot-out win at Old Trafford against Manchester United provided Sunderland's route to Wembley.

Thanks to Victor Slynn who has emailed to say: "The cup should really start to grow in importance, City should not go in with the same mindset as they did against Wigan, wonder what Demichelis is going to get wrong today."

Sunderland have already beaten today's opponents in the league earlier this season, winning 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, while they have lost just once to City in their last five meetings. 14 places and 33 points separate the two sides in the Premier League.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has been telling Sky Sports his plans and how they will cope with Sergio Aguero: "We will make it difficult for Manchester City and see if we can have a good day on the ball. I hope we can make him (Aguero) run without the ball so he gets tired. We need to be good today. I'm looking forward to it. We did practice (penalties)."

On Twitter, Jack Stacey (@jackstacey99) says: If i were a Sunderland supporter i would rather win the cup. Creates great memories." Agree Sunderland fans? Let me know: @ryanparrish1919 or ryan.parrish@bskyb.com.

The two sides have differing priorities this season, with fourth-placed City in pursuit of the title and Champions League glory, while Sunderland are fighting the drop in 18th position. But league form rarely counts for anything in these kind of games, as City know all too well after last year's FA Cup final defeat to Wigan.

Thanks too to Kirsty Marsh (@kirstylmarsh) on Twitter. She says: "Winning today will be great for the team and the fans. Any silver ware is fab, and gives a great boost to all. #mcfc."

Paul Burns emails to say: "The first 30 mins will be critical. City almost always create two or three chances. If they score this will force Sunderland to push forward and I think this will work to City's advantage. If, as does happen, City miss these chances then the game will be much harder to call, although a City win will still be the final result."

On the email, Chris Green says: "Sunderland to win 2-1, with Johnson netting a brace." While Jakob is also backing an upset. He says: "I'm going for a 1-0 Sunderland win here, they will defend for their lives and my prediction is Fletcher coming on in the 70-80th minute and scoring the winner."

Thanks to Andrew Hartley (@AndrewHartley_X) who has Tweeted to say: "Going for a City win but I'm still nervous, having the Wigan game stuck in memory, Lescott deserves a start too! C'mon City."

I'd be interested to hear from Sunderland fans too, particularly as I've seen a few suggest that they would choose a trophy win today over Premier League survival if it came down to it. Is that the case? Could you do both? Tweet: @ryanparrish1919 or email ryan.parrish@bskyb.com.

City fans, how important is a win today to you? And where does the League Cup rank in this season's priorities? Many are expecting a trophy-haul from your side this year, could this kick-start it or would you rather focus elsewhere? Get in touch. Either Tweet: @ryanparrish1919 or email ryan.parrish@bskyb.com.

It's a League Cup final debut for both managers and a first Wembley appearance for Manuel Pellegrini who is looking to claim his first piece of silverware since moving to England. The home of English football provides more familiar surroundings for Poyet who won the FA Cup beneath the old twin towers with Chelsea in 2000.

Simon Lowther on the email asks for the odds of a repeat 5-0 scoreline from last year's final in favour of City and our friends over at Sky Bet have it priced at 25/1.

Mitch (@mitch16_) on Twitter says: "Sunderland to force City into extra time and Man City to walk away with the cup then." While Oliver Torrance (@Ollytorrance) is going for a 4-2 Man City win.

Thanks to Ian Ashman who has emailed in. He says: "From a City exile biting his nails in sunny Spain - just seen the City line up, I am impressed with the side,with the exception of Vinnie's partner Demichelis. It's great to see Kun back in the starting line up. I am going for a 3-1 win to my beloved blues. Hope its a wonderful day for both sets of fans."

This is a trophy that Sunderland have never won -their only final appearance coming in 1985's defeat to Norwich - and Gus Poyet could make history if he can inspire his side to a famous win and claim their first piece of silverware since the 1973 FA Cup.

On Twitter, Michael Bowers (@MichaelBowers15) says: "I'd love us to win as we aren't going to get many chances for a trophy! But sadly my prediction is Man City 2-0 Sunderland!"

So the big team news is that Aguero returns up front for City with Negredo dropping to the bench and Pantilimon continues in goal as he has throughout the competition. Larsson starts in midfield for Sunderland who line up in a 4-5-1 with Borini as the lone striker.

Thanks to JB (@tt_jcb) who has Tweeted to say: "Don't see any other outcome than a city win here. 4-0 or more, they won't make the same mistake twice!"

As we await the teams being announced, we have some odds from our friends over at Sky Bet. They're offering 9/1 on a Sunderland win today and that's something the Black Cats have already achieved against City this season. They were 1-0 winners at the Stadium of Light back in November and the same scoreline at Wembley is a massive 28/1 on the Price Boost.

As always, you have the chance to have your say ahead of kick-off. Feel free to send in any score predictions and thoughts either by following me and getting in touch on Twitter: @ryanparrish1919, or emailing ryan.parrish@bskyb.com and a selection of the best will be posted.

Good afternoon and welcome to the live and interactive commentary of today's Capital One Cup final as Manchester City and Sunderland (14:00 K.O) go head-to-head for this season's first piece of silverware. Sunderland have already toppled Manuel Pellegrini's side earlier this campaign so this is far from a forgone conclusion. Team news will be here around 1pm...